At a glance: Environmental and Field Biology

Students studying in this area are pursuing careers with industrial firms, consulting firms and governmental agencies. Students liked the idea of an interdisciplinary program which draw concepts from several different fields. Environmental issues are found in all kinds of fields, from geology and biology to public policy and law, Ohio Northern University offers Environmental Studies major and minor programs.

Distinctive features

Environmental studies students learn that the various fields of science, technology, and human relations are interrelated on many levels. Decisions made in one field are invariably felt in another. For example, when scientists and policymakers work to pass new environmental legislation, the new laws may raise costs for consumers or the higher cost of complying may mean a loss of jobs - these issues will be taken into consideration when laws are made, and lawmakers will work to "soften the blow" for their constituents. Environmental problems can be found anywhere in the world. In many ways, the so-called developed nations are far ahead of the rest of the world in terms of remediation and prevention of environmental disasters. However, in poorer areas of the world, where the immediate needs of humans often supercedes those of the environment, pollution and injustice can run unchecked for decades. Environmental Studies graduates are needed to come up with innovative and effective solutions to these kinds of difficult problems.

For additional information on this major, contact Mrs. Jane Brown at 419-772-2325 or by email at j-brown@onu.edu.

Facilities

Off-campus facilities include a 300-acre wetland restoration project, forensic body farm and the ONU Metzger Nature Center in eastern Ohio. The new Mathile Center for the Natural Sciences complex includes cadaver-dissection laboratories, a teaching museum and herbarium, and laboratories for aquatics, forensics, nursing and medical laboratory sciences. In addition, this complex will provide new facilities for teaching, student and faculty research, and seminars/conferences.

Student organizations

Professional placement

Government agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory and Natural Resource Agencies, Pharmaceutical corporations, Public and parochial school systems, Hospital, public health and research laboratories (100 percent employment rate for graduates of the clinical laboratory science program), Environmental consulting firms

Graduate schools

Ball State University, Clemson University, The Ohio State University, University of Florida, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina, University of Indiana, Ohio University, The Ohio State University, University of Toledo, Washington University, University of Cincinnati